We feel every home should come with a manual, and if it’s your first time owning a home there may be things that you don’t know about how to keep things running smoothly or what to do if things go wrong. From shutting off water to testing your smoke alarms and having an emergency kit at the ready, here are all of our best tips to avoid disaster and keep your home in great shape. Support the show Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines
This is episode 40 and to celebrate, we're playing our top 40 hits - a rapid fire discussion of a favourite highlight from each of our previous episodes. If you're a longtime listener, this episode is a great summary of all of our best tips. If you're new here, this is the perfect place to start to help you to find which of our previous episodes will be the most useful for you. Support the show Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines
From budget hobs to luxury fridges that cost more than most peoples' first car, today we're diving into the wonderful and some times bewildering world of kitchen appliances. Whether you're a microwave only chef, or a combi-oven connoisseur, we've got the low down on what's hot, what's cool, and what's just plain overpriced. Support the show Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines
Last week Jenny and Kate spoke about renovation snag lists - but what if your builder doesn't come back? Small issues like hairline cracks in paint or needing to re-seal a bathtub are normal and totally doable yourself. This episode is all about how to do just that so you can tackle basic home maintenance with confidence (and a can of WD40). Watch this episode on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@Rip-It-Up Courses Mentioned DIY evening courses: https://www.adulteducationireland.ie/diy/Furni...
Jenny and Kate discuss what happens as you near the end of your renovation. How much retention can you expect, what should you look for in your final walkthrough, and our tips for handling difficult conversations when something inevitably goes wrong. A huge thank you to everyone who signed up for our early bird list - look out for an email from us soon, including Kate's snag list as a welcome gift! Email us at ripitupearlybird@gmail.com to sign up. Support the show Follow us on Instagram - Je...
Today Jenny and Kate are discussing the pros and cons of project managing your own renovation versus enlisting the services of renovation professionals such as architects, designers, and quantity surveyors. Is it worth the stress to save some money? Let’s get into it. Support the show Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines
Today you lucky listeners are getting two for the price of one! Jenny and Kate are joined by Tanya Neufeld Flanagan - interior designer and host of The Interiors Podcast. This episode delves into the biggest renovation mistakes, helping you skip the stress and the screw-ups! Support the show Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines
We are in full spring cleaning mode. So for this episode, we're giving you all our best tips for decluttering and staying reasonably organised (we're not Marie Kondo!). Items mentioned: Clossy CoVacuum bags (the Organised Store, Amazon, Homestore and More)Joseph JosephOxoThe Home EditHumdakinBrabantiaCommand hooksDyson dockPicture ledge shelvesAdverts.ie / Done DealVintedDepopOxfam Postback - https://www.oxfamireland.org/postback-donate-by-post-for-freeGreat accounts to follow on Insta Orla S...
Jenny and Kate dive into the second installment of their lighting series, sharing clever hacks to upgrade your lighting without having to rewire, plus a big bonus list of favourite brands and suppliers. Featuring an exclusive reveal of Kate's gorgeous new lighting! Items Mentioned: Irish suppliers Mullan LightingHicken LightingLuminaire LightingWillie DugganLighting range in Woodies - the EditInternational Suppliers Dusk LightingLamp TwistThe Deco NookLampmastersPopup LightingAstroLight11.deF...
This episode was recorded live on the DFS stage at the Ideal Home Show in Dublin in April, 2025. Thank you to our lovely audience for listening and asking questions, to Jo Linehan for the fabulous interview, and to the whole team for having us on stage! We talked all about how to keep your renovation on budget, on time, and in style. Note as this was recorded in a busy environment there will be some background noise, but we did our best to make it sound good. Support the show Follow us on In...
Today Jenny and Kate are tackling the hardest working spaces in your home - utility rooms, laundry rooms, boot rooms, and all the clever cabinets and gadgets to hide the chaos in style. Items mentioned: Cordless vacuum charger dock plus attachments holderAdhesive broom holdersElfa System / Boaxel System (Ikea) - wire shelves and fittings for laundry and utilitiesDehumidifier - Meaco and DeLonghi Swedish airing cupboards - Asko and Nimo VerkenFoxy Dry/Sheila MaidLaundry chute Washer...
Kate and Jenny are turning up the heat - that's right, it's all about heating systems. It's not a topic that we're experts on, but we will take you through how we made the decisions in our previous homes around which type of boiler to choose, radiators, underfloor heating, and heat pumps. We will tell you all about the mistakes we made and the things that we would do again. Items mentioned: Combi-boilersUnderfloor heating (gas)Devimats (electric underfloor heating - for small areas)Skirting-b...
Today on Rip It Up we are joined by Gráinne Gillett who became an internet renovation sensation in 2022 when she took on a seriously rundown Victorian cottage in Dublin, documenting every step of the transformation and getting very hands-on in the process. With a keen eye for interiors and an impressive DIY skill set, Gráinne has inspired countless people to take on their own renovation projects. Support the show Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianr...
We don't want to cause any panic, but it is nearly time to start thinking about Christmas. So here are all of our top tips for Christmas decorations, from the beautiful and chic to the gaudy and fun; from the DIY to the sustainable to the slightly more outlandish, we've got you covered. Items mentioned: Flat Christmas trees - zig zag garland on wall using Command HooksWooden Christmas Trees - from Mon Sapin Woody (monsapinwoody.fr)Dried fruit as decorationsEucalyptus garlandHoneycomb paper b...
You spend a third of your life in bed, so getting the right one is important! In this episode, Kate and Jenny take you through everything you need to know about picking your perfect bed, your perfect mattress, and your perfect sleep set-up. Items mentioned: Get Laid BedsMade.comMLILYYour Sleep Number BedsMoebeOttoman BedTempurMemory Foam MattressesPocket Spring MattressesSlat capsSupport the show Follow us on Instagram - Jenny is @workerscottage and Kate is @victorianrathmines
This episode is all about Kate and Jenny's favourite household gadgets and gizmos. We had a lot to talk about here so there will be another follow-on episode soon! Items mentioned: KITCHEN GADGETS Rice cooker Waffle ironCoffee Machine - NinjaStand mixer - pasta attachments and ice-cream maker - Jenny has the Kitchen Aid and Kate has the KMix.ThermomixTortilla warmerAir fryer - with rotisserieSlushie maker - Ninja (for frozen margaritas!)Multifunction/steam oven - steamer, sous vide, pr...
Kate and Jenny are excited to bring you a very special guest - award winning Australian architect Georgina Wilson, founder of Georgina Wilson Associates and Ask an Architect. Get ready for an absolute goldmine episode, chock-a-block with renovation revelations, and check out askanarchitect.co for more. For this episode, we are very proud to be sponsored by Floretry. Floretry crafts contemporary floral designs that evoke a connection to the Irish landscape. With a commitment to sustaina...
In this episode, Kate and Jenny take you through some key tips for how you can stay on budget during your renovation. It doesn't have to compromise quality and it doesn't have to compromise aesthetics. But keeping on top of your budget throughout your whole renovation is sure to save you some money in the end. Items mentioned: - Jenny's budget tracker is available at jennysheahan.com - Lefroy Brooks (bathrooms) - Villeroy & Boch (bathroom) - Kitchen Aid stand mixer - First Fix (stage of...
In today's episode, Kate and Jenny help you to find your interior style. You know what you like and you have pictures, but you're not sure exactly how to pull it all together in your own space. Kate and Jenny will take you through some tips and tricks to get that professional look. Topics Referenced 7 Principles of Interior DesignCreating Style BoardsCanva Google Slides / PowerPointMad About the House by Kate Watson-SmythThe Great Indoors Podcast by Kate Watson-Smyth and Sophie Ro...
In this episode, Kate and Jenny give you the details of how to avail of the energy efficiency, conservation, vacant property, and derelict property grants available in Ireland. Grants mentioned - check out https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/housing-grants-and-schemes/ for a thorough guide: Home Renovation Incentive - if works were done between 2013 - 2018 you could claim up to €4050Solar / PV panels grant.Individual home energy upgrade grant - if you are choosing individual energy...